Vent actuated shorting switch

Abstract

In a high voltage, high ampere battery, a shorting bar is placed on the topf each battery cell vent cap for providing a shorting switch between two extensions from respective cell terminals in response to excessive cell pressure dislocating the vent cap. This effectively removes a defective, potentially explosive cell from the battery output circuit while continuing to apply an output voltage to using circuitry.

I claim: 
     
       1. A vent actuated shorting switch comprising: a container having a pressure release opening therein and first and second electrical terminals thereon, first and second electrical conductive extensions projecting from respective of said first and second electrical terminals, respective projecting ends of said extensions being adjacent and positioned above said pressure release opening, a cap moveably disposed and covering said pressure release opening for moving toward and repositioning adjacent said projecting ends of said conductor extensions in response to excessive pressure within said container being released and an electrical conductor fixedly attached to said cap for contacting said conductive extensions and providing electrical connection therebetween in response to said repositioning of said cap adjacent said extensions, said pressure release opening being defined by a protruding neck, said neck having a plurality of ridges on the outer surface thereof, and said cap being slidably disposed on said neck and having a plurality of grooves on the inside thereof for guiding the direction of sliding movement of said cap toward said extensions. 
     
     
       2. A vent actuated shorting switch as set forth in claim 1 wherein said conductor is a shorting bar across the top of said cap and said container is a direct current battery cell.